In addition to those listed in §216.4 of this title (relating to Criteria for Acceptable Continuing Education Activity), the following guidelines shall apply to the selection and/or planning and implementation of specific CE programs:

1. (1) Academic course.

   1. (A) The course shall be within the framework of a curriculum that leads to an academic degree in nursing or any academic course relevant to nursing practice/health care.
   2. (B) Participants, upon audit by the board, shall be able to present an official transcript indicating completion of the course with a grade of "C" or better, or a "Pass" on a Pass/Fail grading system.
   3. (C) Academic courses in this category are acceptable for Type I CE credit.

2. (2) Individualized instruction (home study/programmed instruction). The program shall:

   1. (A) be developed by a professional group such as an educational institution, corporation, professional association or other provider of continuing education;
   2. (B) follow a logical sequence;
   3. (C) involve the learner by requiring an active response to the educational materials presented;
   4. (D) contain a means to measure achievement of learning objectives of the program; and
   5. (E) provide a record of attendance which complies with §216.4(9)(C) of this title concerning records indicating completion of the program.
   6. (F) Up to 20 contact hours of Type I or five contact hours of Type II credit for one renewal period may be obtained through individualized instruction.

3. (3) Self-directed study.

   1. (A) Program development and presentation.

      1. (i) The program or presentation must not be a part of the licensee's primary employment responsibilities.
      2. (ii) Credit shall be awarded only once regardless of the number of times the program/work was presented.
      3. (iii) Upon audit by the board, the licensee must submit program objectives and an outline including date and location of the presentation not to exceed one page.
      4. (iv) Two hours of Type II credit per program topic may be obtained through this means.

   2. (B) Auditing of academic courses.

      1. (i) Academic courses in nursing or health care may be audited. Audited courses meet Type II requirements.
      2. (ii) Upon audit by the board, the licensee must submit a letter from the course instructor on the academic institution's letterhead indicating that the licensee attended the course.
      3. (iii) Two hours of Type II credit per course may be obtained through this means.

   3. (C) Certification.

      1. (i) A licensee who completes the requirements for certification in a nursing specialty by a national credentialing body may receive Type II continuing education credit.
      2. (ii) This is a one-time approval for initial certification only.
      3. (iii) Upon audit by the board, the licensee must furnish a letter from the national specialty organization indicating initial certification.
      4. (iv) Five hours of Type II credit for initial certification may be obtained through this means.

   4. (D) Authorship.

      1. (i) A licensee may receive CE credit for development and publication of a manuscript related to nursing and health care.
      2. (ii) Credit for publication shall be awarded only once per renewal period.
      3. (iii) Upon audit by the board, the licensee must submit a letter from the publisher indicating acceptance of manuscript for publication or a copy of the published work.
      4. (iv) Five contact hours of Type II credit may be obtained through this means.

4. (4) Out-of-state programs.

   1. (A) A continuing education program attended or undertaken in a jurisdiction outside of Texas may be accepted:

      1. (i) for Type I credit if all criteria are met and if it is approved by one of the board's recognized credentialing agencies/organizations; and
      2. (ii) for Type II credit if it meets the criteria listed in §216.4 of this title and §216.5 of this section concerning criteria for acceptable continuing education activity and additional criteria for specific continuing education programs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §216.5 adopted to be effective September 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 4000.